Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Usually white swatches are lame and unexciting. Not this one though, this one is filthy!

14-15 Upper Deck Eric Lindros Game Jersey

This looks like a pretty solid puck mark that the Big E took to the big torso. Say what you want about jersey cards, I still enjoy them and when you can land them for a $1.50 like I did in the spring for this one, it's all fantastic. Not all my past pick ups are jaw droppers but I couldn't resist a bargain when I saw it so the Big E joined my big collection.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

There are some cards you just don't appreciate until they are in your hands and I believe this one falls in that category. I really haven't been looking for this card at all but when searching for Brett Connolly patches I noticed a dealer selling several BC The Cup Rookies and inserts and there were two of these booklets for sale. Sadly they ALL ended within a second of one another so I had to make my choice and go hard for it. In the end, I am pleased with the outcome and landed a whale!

11-12 Upper Deck The Cup Brett Connolly Rookie Gear Booklet /25

Here is the outside of the booklet. 25/25 and all the promises of swatches inside....

Here is the inside!!

I want to go on the record by saying I am not a huge fan of booklet cards and am almost angry each time I have to shell out 10 bucks for a one touch to hold the card but this is one massive exception. The left side is neat with a huge signature which is a good thing for Brett because his auto is pretty simplistic (even more so since he started in the NHL) and it's size brings out more details. The right side is pure gold. Patches, jerseys and straps are already in my collection but, seeing all three together is pretty cool and the patch features a few breaks and even some silver. But the best part and the reason why I went for this one instead of the other booklet is the laundry tag. I believe it speaks for itself and it is telling me Mr. Connolly is either a size 50 or 52. Like himself, this jersey was made in Canada. Just awesome.

So the big question is do I chase all his rookies now that I have come this far....perhaps I should. But I will just need to figure out what is exactly out there before I tackle that type of mission but in the meantime, my collection grows still!

Friday, November 20, 2015

So there is one day that will probably live in infamy for as long as I can remember and while that day had some sadness in it, it didn't start off as a bad day and in fact for about 20 hours of it, it was a great day. Then towards the end of the day, it went south, but I am not going to focus on those remaining 4 hours or the first 16 hours. Instead I am going to focus on 20 minutes I spent in my LCS on Sept 21st and experienced something truly awesome and memorable.

So on my way home from work to pick up a few things, I decided to stop off at the LCS and see my man Mike and shoot the breeze. Truth is I also had 6 dollars in change in my pocket and felt he was better off with it than I was so I figured I would go and make a donation. Upon arriving I saw that he sold a mini-box of 13-14 Trilogy and I asked how the results were. He said that he picked the box for the customer and they hit a Gretzky Auto'd puck. I was impressed and stated that clearly you have the magic touch. Mike laughed and agreed and I proceeded to browse his recent additions. Not seeing much that interested me I looked over at the few boxes he had and decided I had two options for my 6 dollars. A pack of 13-14 Black Diamond, 14-15 Black Diamond or 2 packs of 15-16 OPC. Not being a huge fan of modern OPC I went for the 13-14 BD due to better rookie selection and was hopeful for a Mackinnon. There were only about 4 packs left so I asked Mike and his magic touch to pick a pack for me and he does and then I put the others back and pay the man.

I start by opening the top of the pack and peering down I see.....decoy. I remark, hey no jersey card but there could still be a rookie or an auto. I tear into the pack from the back because that is how I roll and see a base card immediately. Slowly I move that card away and see...base card. Teasing myself I move the next base away slowly and see...4 diamonds. Excitement! Then I see a congratulations! I lose it and put the cards down that I haven't looked at yet and just am holding the first two base and the congratulations card. Turning it over I see....

13-14 Black Diamond Quad Diamond Joe Sakic Emerald Auto /10

Sorry for the scan, once I got into the one touch, there was no way it was touching my scanner or my hands again. These are notoriously condition sensitive so a bad scan is what we all have to live with.

I couldn't believe it! I immediately remark this is one of the best packs I've ever opened and am pleased with the results. Mike is amazed at his own luck and we all joke and get Joe safely into storage. Then I say, hey I should look at the rest of the pack joking there might be something else in there but secretly knowing it's all base.

Well immediately on the other side of my decoy was this card!

13-14 Black Diamond Single Diamond Justin Williams Emerald Auto /10

Wednesday, Tuesday, Friday! I can't believe it, both Mike and random shopper in the store are now floored at the results. I immediately correct myself and state that this is the best pack I have ever opened and float to cloud 9 on my absolutely amazing luck. After the dust settles, I chat with Mike and random guy for a few more minutes and then I leave thinking how amazing the day was and how I would never forget that pack or that day....funny huh? Sometimes life is strange, but that pack is my best to date as I write this and I am hopeful that I could perhaps top it someday.

Both cards are for trade or sale in someone is interested in either/or.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

With the Devils performing far beyond most's expectations to this point in the season, we have lots to be thankful for. While our struggles of recent years have been blamed on Lou, the truth is Lou did leave behind many wonderful working parts and our defense is definitely something Lou should be proud of and with the right coach they are firing on all cylinders. Damon Severson is one young defenseman I hope to see more and more of as the years go by and I have added to my Severson collection and I would say he joins Brett Connolly, Adam Henrique and Ryan Ellis as a member of my PC.

As far as rookies go, they never get any more desirable than The Cup. A nice swatch with three colours and a centralized autograph. The truth is this isn't my favourite Severson card in my collection but it is definitely among the top 5. I look forward in the coming weeks to share all my Seversons as well as many other additions and successes.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Whenever I make a trade I wish I could hire Bettman to make an announcement for me:

I have agree to trade a box of 15-16 UD Series 1 which could possibly contain one of the hottest rookie cards since 05-06 in exchange for what I consider the best card from the 1990's, the Holy Grail if you will.....

Very excited to make this trade with Walt T. I decided to post the trade here so everyone can witness/moderate our trade. Walt isn't apart of any forums etc so rather than go through that painful process we will make our trade public here so he gets piece of mind and so do I. He has agreed to ship first and once it arrives I will post its arrival here and then ship his box to him and both of us will use tracking. Anyway, pleased to be back blogging and very pleased to share this awesome trade in my opinion and I hope he hits a McDavid.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

After a very long and much needed break to begin getting things taken care of I feel that I might be ready to come back and continue sharing my adventures and sharing in those of others. Thank you very much to all those who wrote me and have stayed in contact a variety of different ways including sending along PWEs (yes I am looking in your direction Jeff, thank you very very much).

I plan on easing myself back into this possibly with a post every few days but the truth is I probably will post whenever I feel like it and that will be possibly more frequent! I have loads of new additions and fun things to have shared that have happened to me in the collecting side of things over the past few months.

To kick things off, why not go with 2 of my three collecting loves. Brett Connolly and Team Canada. If only the Devils would make a play for this kid and offer Boston a young defenseman!

13-14 Artifacts Emerald Brett Connolly Team Canada /8

While the emerald foil has never been a love of mine, I think it isn't bad on this card. The patch piece is just fantastic. You may not see it that well but there is gold peaking out in the bottom right portion of the watch. Brett's auto features his number 8 from playing in junior and I am guessing UD used up all his 28 signature stickers on the UD Team Canada set.

This card was one I had been watching for quite a while and when the price creeped down to a reasonable number I threw them an even more reasonable BO and it was accepted! If only a couple others could do the same.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone who's kept checking out my blog and at least allowed the old hit count to grow slightly and those who may have discovered my blog in my absence. I hope to keep you all coming back and thank you for your patience!